TRAGEDY STRIKES ON FIELD OF PLAY
LESS than six months have passed since Australian cricketer Phil Hughes (below) died, aged just 25, after being struck on the neck by a bouncer during a domestic match in Sydney, and sport once again finds itself mourning those lost on the field of play. On Monday, promising Indian cricketer Ankit Keshri passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest following an on-field injury sustained during a senior one-day match in the Indian city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). The 20-year-old had collided with a team-mate while attempting to take a catch. According to reports, Keshri regained consciousness after the incident on Friday, where he was only playing as a substitute fielder having been the 12th man, but died in hospital yesterday. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: ‘Saddened by the demise of Ankit Keshri. A promising career aborted by an unfortunate incident on field. ‘May God give strength to Ankit’s family and friends to cope with this loss. RIP’ Meanwhile, a young Australian rugby player has also died following a freak accident during a match. Nicholas Tooth, 25, was playing for the Quirindi Lions against the Narrabri Blue Boars in New South Wales on Saturday when he collapsed after hitting his head on an opponent’s shoulder during a tackle. He was treated at the ground before being airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition but died there late on Sunday.